Discover the unique experiences that only Maria Island can offer in one place.

Click on the image for a map of Maria Island with points of interest, walking trails, mountain bike trails and campsites:

Discover Short Walks

THE PAINTED CLIFFS are a spectacular place to visit on Maria Island. These cliffs are a short walk from Darlington and at low tide, you can walk around the base and take some extraordinary photographs. The beautiful gold, bronze and cream layered sandstone is millions of years old and is most vivid in the afternoon sunlight. The Painted Cliffs are 4km one way from Darlington, which is approximately 40 minutes walking time.

THE FOSSIL CLIFFS along the north shore of Maria Island are made of limestone and present a brilliantly preserved showcase of shell and coral fossils. These cliffs are more than 200 million years old and are one of the most impressive examples of this kind of fossil layering in the world. The walk from Darlington takes you across the smooth northern plain to Fossil Bay revealing spectacular views of Mt Bishop & Clerk. The Fossil Cliffs are 3.5km one way from Darlington, which is approximately 30 minutes walking time.

DARLINGTON TOWNSITE is a very short stroll from the jetty where you can wander through the well preserved townsite buildings as well as the remaining convict buildings of the Penitentiary and the Commissariat store. The Darlington convict settlement was, in fact, developed in 1825, five years before the settlement at Port Arthur. The buildings that now remain of the Probation station are today considered of such significance that they have been nominated for World Heritage recognition in conjunction with those at Port Arthur. The town site is approximately 1km from the Darlington Jetty, which is approximately 10 minutes walking time.

Discover Day-trip Walks

MT BISHOP & CLERK at 630 meters high, is the dominant feature as you arrive in Darlington Bay. This day walk is most rewarding due to its proximity to Darlington, the variety of terrain offered and the breathtaking views from the summit. The views to the north are to Oyster Bay and Schouten Island on south end of Freycinet Peninsular. The dolerite steps at the summit are as magnificent as the views. The walk takes you through ghostly twisted tea trees and on into thick stands of tall eucalypt timber before winding up through the rocky steps and boulders to the summit. You'll need to bring your jacket but you must bring your camera for the views are spectacular. The peak was named for its shape appearing like a bishop followed by his clergyman. This walk is 5km one way from Darlington, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours walking time.

MT MARIA is the highest point on the Island at 710 meters above sea level and rewards you with the breathtaking views of the panoramic vistas over the isthmus to the south, Reidle Bay, Chinamans Bay, Point Lesueur and even Mt Wellington in Hobart on clear days. These vistas are too good to capture on film. This is a challenging walk with some effort required over boulders and even a little hands on climbing. This walk is 8km one way from Darlington, approximately 3-4 hours walking time.

Discover Overnight Walks

FRENCHS FARM is the gateway to the south of Maria Island with many points of interest assessible from this point. Frenchs Farm is a good camping place with a limited water supply. This site was built by the French family in 1936 and has an abandoned farmhouse and barn suitable for campers. This farm is 11 km one way from Darlington, approximately 2-3 hours walking time.

ENCAMPMENT COVE is a beautiful place on the pearly white shore of Chinamans' Beach. This is what camping on Maria is all about, your own beach, tranquillity, freedom. Perfect. This bay is where European discoverers first landed on the Island looking for water in 1789. The cove is 2km one way from French's Farm, approximately 20 minutes walking time.

RIEDLE BAY is a magnificent long white empty beach that is open to the Tasman Sea. It is the eastern side of the isthmus and often provides a good surf. It is suitable for a swim and the beach may reward you with a selection of sea shells from the southern ocean. The bay is 4.5km one way from French's Farm, approximately 1 hour walking time.

ROBEY'S FARM has a quaint and quiet pebble beach below the farm. There is water here making it suitable for camping. The farm is 8km one way from French's Farm, approximately 2 hours walking time.

HAUNTED BAY is at the southern end of the Island. Haunted Bay was originally only accessible by sea and was used for whaling and sealing in the very early days of European settlement in the 1820's. It is said that it got its name from night sounds created by the local population of penguins. This bay is usually only visited by those who really want to get away. The bay is 9 km one way from French's Farm, approximately 2 hours walking time.

ENCAMPMENT COVE TO DARLINGTON is a beautiful and seldom travelled route which follows the protected western coastline of the Island. You will be tempted to swim at the pristine Soldiers beach and must pause at Bloodstone point to sample the rich red clay soil that the Aborigines used to paint their skin and hair. Visit the remains of the convict cells from the second probation station that was built at Point Lesueur. This walk is 14km, approximately 3-4 hours walking time.